Step or platform



(No Model.)

P. H. STANWOOD.

STEP 0R PLATFORM.

N0. 382,331. Patented May 8, 1,888.

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NITE raras STEP OR PLATFORM.

SPECIFICATION forming pari: Of Letters Patent No. 382,331, dated May 8, 1888.

Application ilerl December 2D, 1887. Serial No. .25lA24.` (No model.)

To all whom may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK H. STANWOOD, a citizen of the United States, residing in Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Steps or Platforms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to au improved construction of steps and platforms specially designed for carriages, omnibuses, railway-cars, and other vehicles. My object is to render the step capable of acting as a foot-scraper to a more efficient degree than previous construe tions, and at the same time to simplify and cheapeu the manufacture. y

The invention consists of a reticulated openwork step or platform consisting of strips of thin metal placed edgcwise, a surrounding frame of stiff material by which the strips are held together, and a hanger or equivalent support attached to the frame.

In the drawings accompanying this specification aud forming part thereof, Figure l is a perspective of a carriage step made according to my presentinvcntion. Fig. 2 is a plan of a step or platform,partly in section; and Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the same upon the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

In said drawings, A represents one of the series of strips composing the body of my improved step or platform, and B the other series. Both series consist of strips formed of flat band metal or otherdescription of narrow thin metal, and are slotted from one edge preferably to their longitudinal centers, as shown at a, so that -when puttogether edge uppermost, with the slots of one series down and the slots of the other series up, and with one series crossing the other, they will halve together at their intersections and form areticulated evenlsnrfaced structure.

The ends of the various strips are fashioned to fit into the groove c of the surrounding frame C, which is made of channel or other suitable iron. This channel c forms a guard against vertical movement of the strips,while the latter are mutually self-sustaining against lateralyielding. Of course other shaped metal may be employed for the frame; but the form shown is Very simple and serves the purpose Well. Its ends may be spliced by the use of the plate D and rivets d, or in any other snitable Way. The strips A and B may be wavy or zigzag instead of straight. They should preferably, however, approach the frame at right angles to the latter, because it' they enter the channel inthe latter obliquely they are apt to spring or bend out of the channel.

A step or platform made in this way forms a very efficient foot-scraper, as the edges of the strips are thin and sharp and well adapted to cut into and loosen mud and snow adhering to the feet, while the meshes in the step permit the free escape of all which may become detached. Stit'fening or strengthening ribs may be passed through the structure from end to end or side to side, if found desirable.

The device illustrated is a carriage-step and is provided with the hanger customarily used with such steps. The form of the hanger or hangers and the size and shape ofthe step or platform are, however, immaterial matters in my invention.

The reticulated or open'work step or platform consisting of a support or hanger, a stiff frame secured to the support or hanger, and separate stri ps ofsheet or like thin sharpedged metal forming the tread and arranged edge- Wise in and supported by said frame; without being welded to or made integral therewith, substantially as set forth. y'

. FRANK H. STANWOOD.

Vitnesses:

H. M. MUNDAY, R.. H. MUNDAY. 

